This show aired on November 24, 2006. It was an extremely eye opening experience and I was glad that we did it. While talking with the producer before the taping of the show, the producer asked me more than once, “Do you have any questions for Dr. Phil? I replied gracefully, “No, does Dr. Phil have any questions for me?” This may be why we were in the audience instead of on stage as a featured guest. Two lessons I learned: first, these shows are about entertainment and sensationalism, second, unschoolers have a long way to go before people begin to grasp what we are doing. My experience on the Dr. Phil show reminded me that unschooling is a difficult concept for many to grasp but as I watch my children grow and mature into amazing intelligent nice people, I am convinced “the proof is in the pudding”.

Review

What are homeschoolers talking about?

Here is a thorough review of “The Great School Debate”. Annie, the author, is referring to our family in the excerpt below. Click on the link for the entire article.

“After thatfamily was ushered off the show, there follows a 30 second bit of a high achieving, high-functioning, homeschooling family whose children have been to visit almost all 50 states. This family does not get to be on stage, but is placed in the audience. They have brought their entire family, including all of their children, one of which is a young girl of about six. The mother does an excellent job of quickly trying to correct some of the misconceptions and myths about homeschooling that one might have after watching this episode thus far, and gives a brief description of different styles of homeschooling to Dr. Phil.

However, Dr. Phil cuts her off, asking her if she thinks that bringing her six year old to the show is, “An Appropriate Decision.” Dr. Phil does not seem nearly as interested in having accurate homeschooling information presented on his show, as he is interested in throwing his “Guest Audience,” off guard by creating confused defensiveness.

This mother actually does a very good job of defending her position, and quickly explains basic homeschooling concepts, but by then, Dr. Phil has moved on. I wonder if that family will actually be shown in the homeschooling episode. Perhaps.”